Partnerships & Successes

We believe that maintaining meaningful, healthy, and respectful relationships is fundamental to achieving our shared goals and visions.

Meaningful, healthy, and respectful relationships are built upon the recognition that we all have something to contribute as individuals and participants in the interest of Indigenous health. Accordingly, we commit to working with partners with dignity and kindness, being responsive to one another and acknowledging that each entity has its own respective strengths and limitations. We are also committed to respectful engagement and interactions with tripartite partners and other contributors and collaborators.

We believe that effective, harmonious working relationships with Indigenous peoples are the foundation for achieving our shared goals and visions and in implementing health plans and health agreements together. We commit to fostering effective and harmonious working relationships that are guided by truth, courage, understanding, teamwork, mutual support, and humility.

Blurring the Lines… a Success Story in the Making

A historical formalized Indigenous Health Partnership Agreement, the first of its kind in Manitoba, was signed in 2016 between Southern Health-Santé Sud, Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, Dakota Tipi First Nation, Long Plain First Nation, Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, Swan Lake First Nation, and First Nations Inuit Health Branch. Partners in this agreement recognize that “together we’re stronger than any one of us alone”, and that we:

recognize, and will work to reduce, the negative health impacts of jurisdictional lines

recognize each partner has a legitimate role in improving First Nations health and health services coordination

recognize that by engaging partners, we can enhance what needs to be done by working collaboratively, collectively, and taking a people-centred approach

Looking forward, Southern Health-Santé Sud is committed to:

building meaningful, respectful and inclusive relationships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and their communities

placing emphasis and focus on increased Indigenous participation in regards to collaboration, planning, problem-solving, and increased awareness of individual health issues and supports

working together towards building a culturally safe health care system, knowing that this will positively impact health outcomes of Indigenous peoples and help to pave the way for a more welcoming and safe environment that accepts, respects, and values culturally diverse peoples